Book Review: Hostage by Elie Wiesel

For my first independent reading book, I chose Hostage by Elie Wiesel. My inquiry project is about the effects of hostage situations, so this book is very appropriate. I selected this title because it appeared to be focused around a lengthy hostage situation involving anti-semitism shortly after World War II. I was correct about one thing...it was about a lengthy hostage situation and all that. Shaltiel Feigenberg, a middle-aged Jewish story teller, was abducted by a revoltuionary Islamic organization. Shalti was targeted because of fantasy newspaper articles written by him that this organization has miscontrued to align with their agenda. The book, however, is of equal parts suspense and political plot events. While the Israeli and American governments were considering the abductor’s demands, Shalti and his two captors discuss international politics (not a friendly conversation, although). This component of the book I did not like. I was very intrigued with the abduction scenes, but I was equally bored with the political conversation in the middle of the book. I had to trudge through that particular section of text (like the 60-page long cave scene in the Hunger Games). I have not finished reading the book, so I cannot form my opinion of the book as a whole. However, it better have an eventful ending.  

Left Behind vs. The Road

I have read only one other book with an apocalyptic disaster plot, Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Both it and The Road have similarities beyond the plot, but also many differences.

Similarities: 

Both books are focused around isolated groups. In Left Behind, four children are left alone and have to rely on each other to survive. Also, both books have widespread fires destroying everything. The characters in Left Behind are seeking for something, too. They are trying to find their family in the midst of the disaster.

Differences:

The cause of the apocalypse is known in Left Behind. The series (12 books in all) is an interpretation of the rapture, where all believers vanish from Earth at the same time. All the instantaneous disappearances cause many disasters all over the Earth, especially fires caused by abandoned machinery operators, airplanes pilots, etc. In Left Behind, all the children stay local. They ravage through the city for their relatives instead of embarking on an adventure. Unlike The Road, there is an end in mind in Left Behind. All the children are anticipating a return of the people who vanished (as prophecized). The Left Behind series is very riveting and worth reading. It does not have the horror and gore that The Road has (which I enjoy) but still very suspensful.  

Jake's Take of Found Word Poetry

This semester has been fairly steady so far in AP English (I do like a consistent class schedule, but it limits the topics I can blog about). I fear that everyone will blog about The Road so I am going to try my best to be original. 

So how bout that found word poetry? That is not something you do everyday. Actually, it was the first time I tried that. I am glad that Mr. Mullins allowed us to experiment with new things in the middle of this unit. It freshened things up a bit from the usually class discussions (which I had no problem with).

The trouble I have had in poetry is being able to create such vivid and impactful imagery. I can handle meter and poetic structure well, but I have never been able to grasp the emotional component of poetry. Conveniently, found word poetry did that for me. It gave me all the wonderful imagery and vocabulary that I lacked. Not saying that I have created a poetic masterpiece, but I do think that I got closer to the root of poetry. I enjoyed using the quotes from the book and rearranging them to fashion a poem of my own. I hope it is a sign of good things to come for this semester.  

Top Ten Fails of Twenty-Twelve

Nothing makes me laugh more than sports bloopers. Since we are starting a new year, I have decided to make a Top Ten Sports Fails of 2012. Enjoy.

10. Kent State Wrong Direction: Kent St LB Andre Parker picked up a fumble during a game and ran in the wrong direction. Even sadder, the other team tackled him.

9. Replacement Refs Touchdown Call: During Week 3 of the NFL, the referees determined that Golden Tate caught a touchdown pass as time expired. However, Greg Jennings caught the ball and Golden Tate hugged him... apparently it still counted.

8. Mark Sanchez Butt Fumble: Jets QB Mark Sanchez fumbled after running into the rear of his own player. The ball was returned for a touchdown by the defense.

7. Fake Basketball Flop: Faking an Injury has become a new fad in sports. However, it must be reasonable for referees to believe it. This guy's was not.

6. Nick Young Lay-Up Towards... Nothing: NBA Player Nick Young had a fast break opportunity during a game. He attempted to make a lay-up and... well... he did not.

5. Javale McGee Confused: Wizards player Javale McGee was caught not paying attention and accidentally ran to the wrong end of the court. McGee is often criticized for his bonehead plays during games. I can't blame his critics.

4.  Appalachian State Free Throw: Appalachian State basketball player Brian Okem was shooting the second of his two free throw attempts. So close, Brian.

3. U.S. Open Birdman Appearance: Golf is usually a game of gentlemen and respect. Not for this fellow. He thought the U.S. Open Trophy Presentation would be the best time to practice his game calls.

2. Atlanta Fan Dunk Fail: It is safe to say that I'm not surprised this happened. I wonder why the Atlanta Organization chose him to participate. I applaud him, though. He believed he could dunk that ball. Gravity had other plans.

1. Javale McGee Missed Dunk: Mr. McGee has made another appearance on my list. I think this is the funniest sport fail of 2012 because McGee did not come close to the basketball while looking like a buffoon.

Halftime Speech: Part II

I wrote my halftime speech last week for my blog post. Coincidentally, it was to the exact same prompt that was given for this week’s blog. I am either lucky or a mind-reader, which has yet to be determined. Just a recap from last week: my expectations of more quantity and more complex reading have been fulfilled, and I believe to be a better critic and writer from it. Since I already reflected on this semester’s impact on me, I shall reveal the adjustments I would like to make for next semester:

-Let’s do a group project. I feel like besides the sparse group activity, I have not been able to interact with my classmates very much (official interaction... not counting the talking during class). I don’t know what units are next semester, but a reasonable-sized group project would be fun to do next semester. 

-I want to act something out. I know we have already completed the drama unit, but I was hoping we would act out scenes or something like that. I think that a large class participatory activity would be great learning and lots of fun.

-Lastly, let’s have a party. I’m serious. This is our last semester of high school ever (hopefully). I think that after the AP test we should have a large party to finish out the year. These are what I hope. What about you? I want to hear your recommendations.

My Halftime Speech

I am feeling a tad reflective today, and considering the end of the first semester is approaching, I thought I would take a look back at the past 16 weeks that was semester 1 of AP Senior English. The main difference (and challenge) I had expected from this course was the amount of reading. This class has not disappointed, with a regular reading pace throughout the semester. Along with the amount of reading, I had anticipated a much higher reading level than advanced english classes of the past. Again, my expectations were correct. The literature we have read this semester has been the higest of any I have read-- and rightfully so. However, I really appreciate the variety of literature we read. We have read short stories, dramas, and novels (independent reading). Also, we have read modern texts, older literature, serious stories, and humorous passages. I have been able to relate to most of them (not all) which has allowed to stay interested in the class, something which concerned me at the start. Writing has also been a large part of this semester. I have expanded my writing skills by regularly doing several types of writing. I have practiced timed writing, reflective writing, interpretive writing and personal writing. I feel like I am a much more refined writer and reader because of this course. What about you guys? How has this semester of AP Senior English shaped you? Was it all that you had anticipated? 

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster: Useful Satire

Wednesday we learned about satire, the use of irony to ridicule human folly. After discussing satirical headlines of The Onion and reading Mark Twain’s speech, I asked myself: How could satire by useful? Interested, I searched the web for an answer. Several minutes later, I found one. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Niko Alm.

Austrian Niko Alm became frustrated with a double standard in his country, that Muslims were allowed to wear turbans in drivers license pictures while the rest of the population wasn’t. The Austrian government argued that turbans were allowed to be worn because of their religious importance. To point out how foolish this was, Alm created a perfectly satirical plan to make his point. Alm created ‘The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster’ which practices the religion of ‘Pastafarianism.’ These are the beliefs of Pastafarianism:

-Pirates were peacekeeping explorers and the original Pastafarians.

-Every Friday is a religious holiday.

-All global epidemics can be linked to the declining Pirate population

-All Pastafarians must wear pasta strainers on their heads at all times.

Alm showed up for his drivers license picture wearing his pasta strainer. He argued that because of the beliefs of Pastafarianism, he should be allowed to remain wearing it. Three years later and one court battle later, Alm had won his right to wear the pasta strainer, sparking a reform of Austrian government policies. Alm’s satirical actions furthered equal rights in Austria.